Garth Brooks: Breaking Records

Garth Brooks never seems to run out of milestones, and in fact has managed to score another country music “first.”

Bob Paxman

This time, it was for his latest single, “More Than a Memory,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming the first track in history to accomplish that feat. The song is from Garth’s upcoming CD, Garth Brooks: The Ultimate Hits, set for a Nov. 6 release.

But there’s one mark Garth no longer holds—the biggest-selling album in country music history. Here’s more on the new titleholder.

Move Over, Garth

For years, Garth Brooks’ Ropin’ the Wind album held the sales mark that no one ever thought could be beaten—13 million as of 1998 (according to Garth’s website, the total now stands at over 14 million). The album featured No. 1 hits like “The River” and “What She’s Doing Now” along with one of Garth’s most popular cuts, “Rodeo.”

For nearly a decade, Ropin’ the Wind stood as country’s all-time best-selling album. That is, until Shania Twain came along with her 1997 release, Come on Over.

Shania’s CD, with hits like the title track and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman,” captivated both country and pop fans. And soon, it became time for Garth to move on over.

With the official tally at well over 20 million, Come on Over is now the best-selling country album of all time. But could Garth’s next offering, The Ultimate Hits, ultimately outshine Shania? Stay tuned.